Hudson County Sheriff To Conduct DWI Checkpoint Sunday

HUDSON COUNTY, NJ — The Hudson County Sheriff's Office will be checking for drivers impaired by alcohol or drugs at a checkpoint this Sunday, a spokesperson said.

According to the New Jersey State Police, 606 people died in 574 fatal crashes on New Jersey roadways last year. In more than 31 percent of those fatal crashes (182), a driver tested positive for alcohol and/or drugs.

The DWI checkpoint will be set up at Kennedy Boulevard and 43rd Street in Union City, the county said.

"The primary purpose of this checkpoint is not to make arrests but to promote public safety by deterring drivers from driving impaired," noted a spokesperson. "During the checkpoint, officers will look for signs that drivers are under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs."

Sheriff Frank Schillari said, “Impaired driving is not just from alcohol. Some prescription medications or over-the-counter drugs may also interfere with someone’s ability to safely operate a vehicle.

"The Sheriff’s Office will also have extra patrols throughout the county in an effort to curb driving while intoxicated while also taking part in the Hudson County Vision Zero Task Force in order to make all of our roadways safer.”

Schillari gave these tips to help keep drivers and pedestrians safe this upcoming holiday season:

• Take mass transit, a taxicab, car service, or ask a sober friend to drive you home.
• Spend the night where the activity or party is held.
• If you see an impaired driver on the road, contact law enforcement. Your actions may save someone’s life, and an inaction could cost a life.
• Always buckle-up, every ride. It’s your best defense against an impaired driver.
• If you are intoxicated and traveling on foot, the safest way to get home is to take a cab or have a sober friend or family member drive or escort you to your doorstep.
• Be responsible. If someone you know is drinking, do not let that person get behind the wheel.

The state attorney general also announced last week a statewide “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” enforcement crackdown on impaired driving.

The annual year-end campaign is aimed at raising awareness of the dangers of impaired driving and reducing crashes caused by motorists driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol during the holiday travel season.

Starting today and extending through January 1, 2025, law enforcement agencies across the state will step up enforcement of New Jersey’s impaired driving laws as part of a nationwide campaign targeting impaired driving during the heavily traveled holiday season, said a release.

The state has provided 130 law enforcement agencies with grants totaling $732,400 to help pay overtime for saturation patrols and high-visibility sobriety checkpoints throughout the state.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s most recent data, of the 42,514 motor vehicle fatalities across the United States in 2022, more than 31 percent (13,524), involved alcohol-impaired driving.

During last year’s Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over year-end holiday campaign, there were 603 impaired driving arrests, 1,034 speeding summonses, and 557 seat belt summonses, the state said.

For more information, visit NJSafeRoads.com.